Cartridge-crimping machine



MMMU M. A. TWITGHBLL.

CARTRIDGE GRIMPING MACHINE. No. 484,868. Patented Oct. 25,1892.

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TATES MYRON A. TXVITOHELL, OF MOVILLE, ASSIGNOR- OF THREE-FIFTHS TO JOSEPH S. W'HEELER, OF SIOUX CITY, IOWA.

CARTRIDGE-CRIM PING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 484,868, dated October 25, 1892.

Application filed April 20, 1892. Serial No. 492,851. (No model.)

To all whmn it may concern.-

Be it known that I, MYRoN A. TWITCHELL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Moville, in the county of WVoodbnry and State of Iowa, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Oartridge- Crimping Machines; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to an improvement in cartridge-crimpers, and more particularly to that class employed in hand loading devices, although it may be applied to loading-machines.

The object of my invention is to construct a crimper that will completely close the end of cartridge, thereby doing away with the end wad.

A further object is to construct a more cheap, durable, and compact arrangement than has heretofore been known.

To these ends my invention consists of certain novel features and combinations of parts, more fully described hereinafter, and pointed out in the claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate my improvement applied to an ordinary hand crimping improvement, Figure 1 represents a side elevation thereof; Fig. 2, a detached end view; Fig. 3, a longitudinal section; Fig. 4, a perspective view of a cartridge crimped by my improvement; Fig. 5, a longitudinal section of the complete arrangement as used; Fig. 6, aview in detail of one of the crimping-sections.

The reference-lettera represents the frame or body portion of an ordinary hand loading implement, which is clamped securely to a table or bench,as usual. Rising from the horizontal portion of the crimper-frame is the usual bearing b,in which the crimper is revolubly mounted and rotated by means of the crank c.

The crimper is constructed in two sections (1 and e. This is done for convenience in manufacturing. It may, however, be formed of an integral piece of metal. The section (1, which makes the side crimp, has abell-shaped orifice f formed in its end, which extends about half-way into its interior. In the remaining portion of this section is formed a round hole g,which extends entirely through it. Into this hole 9 fits the head of the section 6, its end -h extending into. the section at far enough to register with the flattened apex 6o of the bell-shaped orifice f. By means of these two peculiarly-shaped sections a crimping recess or cavity substantially frusto-conical in shape is formed. The two sections are held in place by means of a slightly-tapering key 45 passing through a recess or passage formed in the two and corresponding to the shape of the key. The remaining portion of the section e is reduced at j to a size corresponding with the bore of the bearing 6. This reduced portion formsa spindle for the crimper. The crimper is prevented from falling out by the cartridge-holdin g section k, which would be directly in its path. The free end of the section e, which extends beyond the hearing, is squared for the reception of the hand-crank, before mentioned, by which the crimper is rotated.

The crimping serrations or corrugations on the sections (1 and 6 will now be described. Formed on the inner side of the flaring end of section at is a series of regular serrations Z. These serrations extendinwardlyto the inner end of the crimping-chamber and slightly decrease in size as they approach the center. The large end of the section 6, which comes up flush with the ends of the serrations Z, has formed on it a number of radial projections or serrations m, which increase in width as theyradiatefrom the center. These increases in size are not absolutely essential to the successful operation of the invention; but better results have been attained with them, and hence they are preferred. These serrations are adapted to engage the cartridge during 5 the crimping operation and greatly aid in effecting the object of the invention.

To use my invention, the body portion of the crimper is secured to some rigid object in a position that will bring the bearing b and toe cartridge-holder 70 on the same vertical plane. This has to be done to prevent the load from spilling out of the cartridge, as no end wad is used. The cartridge is then placed in position by swinging back the locking-lever a and passing the cartridge end upward through the holding-band 7c and into the downwardlyopening crimper-head. The locking-lever co is then thrown back and the jaw a is made to bite into the metallic base of the cartridge and hold the same ina rigid position, feeding it all the time into the head as fast as its length is shortened by the crimping operation. The crimper-head is then revolved by means of the crank or handle 0. As the crimper revolves the edges of the shell engage in the first instance the sides of the section d; but they (the edges) are soon forced together until they are engaged by the end of section e, at which they are compressed and flattened down to substantially a frusto-conical shape, as shown by Fig. 4.

WVhat I claim is- 1. A cartridge-crimper formed oftwo sections, one of which has formed in it a bellshaped orifice and a central passage, the other section being adapted to fit into the said passage and extend through to the apex of the orifice, each of the sections having serrations formed on those surfaces which are adapted to engage the cartridge, substantially as described. v

2. In a cartridge-crimping machine, the combination of a holder adapted to embrace the cartridge, a locking-lever for securing the cartridge therein and feeding the same, a crimper-head formed of two sections and having a crimping-chamber substantially frustoconical in shape, and a crank or handle for rotating the crimper-head, all substantially as described.

3. In a cartridge-crimping machine, the combination of a holder adapted to embrace the cartridge, a locking-lever for securing the cartridge therein, a crimper-head journaled in a portion of the frame, said head being formed of two sections, one of which has a bell-shaped orifice, the other section being adapted to extend through the first to the apex of the orifice, and a crank or handle for rotating the head, all substantially as described.

In testimony whereof Iaffix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

MYRON A. TWITCIIELL. itnesses:

W. M. BEVELHYMER, H. S. BECKER. 

